1 month ago
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Top notch reggae producer Clive Hunt is pleased with the positive international feedback to reggae group Third World’s masterful rendition of the classic Sting song, Fields of Gold.
English musician Sting reposted the link to the reggae version of the Fields of Gold song on his Instagram Story account hours after the song’s release.
“That was a major deal and it has generated a lot of excitement in the reggae world,” Hunt said.
Sting’s song was released as a single in June 1993 by A&M Records, reaching No. 16 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The Third World cover, blending their signature reggae sound with the timeless melody of the beloved classic, was officially released last week to positive reviews. The track is from a joint project with Hunt’s Iconic Azul Music and California-based Ineffable Records and is now available on all major streaming platforms
“This is part of a major Sting project. It’s always an honour to work with a band as iconic as Third World. Fields of Gold is a song that transcends generations, and we wanted to bring out the soul and depth of it through reggae. I believe this version will touch hearts worldwide, just as the original did,” Hunt said.
Under the expert production of Clive Hunt, the track features rich instrumentation, soulful harmonies, and a fresh reggae twist that breathes new life into the song.
Third World’s keyboardist and musical director, Cat Coore, said that the band had “always had a great relationship with Clive Hunt”.
“He’s been the producer on quite a few Third World songs and he’s been a friend for many years. It was a pleasure recording this song with Clive ... [it is] one of Sting’s classics and perhaps his best song. Right now, Third World is in a position where we are doing one-off projects and we’re proud to associate with Clive who is one of Jamaica’s best producers,” Coore said.
STING CLASSIC
The Sting project will release a series of covers each week before the eventual release of the album. On February 7, The Elovaters, an American reggae rock band from Boston, brings their verve and funk-dancehall sensibilities to another beloved Sting classic, Roxanne.
The song, written from the point of view of a man who falls in love with a prostitute, is ranked No. 388 on the Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” and was voted No. 85 by VH1 on its list of the “100 Greatest Rock Songs”.
“The Elovaters did a really fantastic job with this Roxanne classic, people are going to love it,” Hunt said.
Musician Harrison Stafford will deliver another cover, Spirits in the Material World on February 14, while Kumar’s cover of Message in a Bottle will hit streaming platforms a week later. On February 28, J Boog will give his rendition of the ballad, ‘So Lonely’.
Hunt was highly motivated to throw himself into this project with gusto because of his admiration for Sting.
“From the first time we discovered the Police, I loved them a whole lot, and Sting being an English youth, who grew up in an era where ska and reggae was a big part of the scene in the ‘60s and ‘70s. He is a great songwriter and a great musician. I have always liked his tremendous catalogue of music and I wanted to do his songs over in a reggae style,” Hunt said.
Hunt eventually teamed up with US-based indie label, Ineffable Records, whose top executives loved the idea and bankrolled the project.
“I am really pleased with how the whole project is unfolding,” Hunt said.
Hunt, who is now 73, first learned the rudiments of music in the early 1960s while a ward at the Stony Hill school for boys. Hunt’s musical journey actually started out while doing tailoring at the Stony Hill Approved School, where his talent was spotted by the music teacher there.
He continued to develop as a multi-instrumentalist in the Jamaica Military Band and began recording professionally in 1972. Hunt eventually became one of the top session players in Jamaica as well as a trumpeter in the Jamaica Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra.
Hunt’s reputation grew and he worked on the internationally successful I Can See Clearly Now for Jimmy Cliff, the Steely and Clevie remake of You Don’t Love Me (No, No, No) for Dawn Penn, and was employed by veteran rockers the Rolling Stones. Hunt also produced a number of singles with Beres Hammond, including fan-favourite, Putting Up Resistance.
He continues to enjoy an illustrious career which has seen him work with artistes such as Dennis Brown, Carl Dawkins, Max Romeo, The Abyssinians, The Skatalites, Bob Andy, Chalice, Tyrone Taylor, the I-Three, Yvad, Richie Spice and Garnett Silk.
English (US) ·